December is the most common month for catching a cold and it is understood that most of the 120 million colds contracted in the UK each year are caused by germs spread by the hands. Similarly, flu is at its peak in the winter each year and 150 million working days are lost in Britain from the flu, which costs UK businesses an estimated £6.75 billion per year.
Everyone knows the simple, practical steps that can be taken at work to reduce the risk of catching and spreading flu such as covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throwing away the tissue promptly and hygienically, staying at home rather than ‘soldier on’ at work, not partying too hard over the festive season; getting sufficient sleep and exercise, drinking plenty of water and eating a nutritious diet.
But, did you know that there is another way to fight against flu that costs less than the price of a cup of coffee per day and is already being used by world leaders? Midlands based business Deb advises that you can reduce the risk of catching and spreading flu simply by using a hand sanitiser; studies have shown that by using hand sanitisers businesses can reduce short-term sickness absence by up to 50%.
According to a recent news story, the White House is leading the way and already taking steps to beat the bug through the use of hand sanitisers; President Bush offered Barrack Obama hand sanitiser the first time they met at the White House four years ago. According to an account in Obama’s book, ‘The Audacity of Hope’, Obama recalls shaking hands with Bush, who then “turned to an aide nearby, who squirted a big dollop of hand sanitizer in the president’s hand.” Bush is quoted as saying “Good stuff. Keeps you from getting colds.”
So, fight flu the presidential way and don’t let the bug beat you this winter!
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